Appearance and lifestyle:
Southern mullet (Chelon richardsonii) are silvery, elongated, fast-swimming fish with a pointed snout and a yellow spot on the gill cover. Instead of a true stomach, they have a muscular crop, similar to a bird’s gizzard, which helps grind food. They can grow to about 40 cm long. Commonly known as “harder”, this species supports an important commercial seine- and gill-net fishery. Catches of 5–6 million fish per year have been recorded.
Habitat:
Southern mullet occur in dense shoals off rocky shores and sandy beaches along the southern and western Cape coast. They spawn in spring in shallow waters, and juveniles often use estuaries as nursery areas.
Diet:
They feed mainly on microscopic plants and organic material. They also take in fine grains of sand, which may assist digestion.
Threats:
Though classified as "Orange" by SASSI, these fish have been overfished in parts and may not be caught in estuaries.
SASSI status – Orange (think twice)